F1 : McLaren grapple with grip as Lando Norris pledges to push harder

The British driver, just 13 points behind teammate Oscar Piastri in the drivers’ championship following the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, admitted the car’s front-axle issues have hindered their performance, especially in qualifying.

Norris, who triumphed at the Australian Grand Prix earlier this year, erased a 23-point deficit to Piastri during a three-race win streak that concluded at Imola.

Yet, the 25-year-old has been plagued by notable mistakes in grid-setting sessions, where McLaren’s drivers have struggled to unlock the car’s full pace.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella identified the issue after the Miami Grand Prix, pointing to a lack of front-axle feedback. “The drivers are forced to judge grip based on the previous lap, not what they feel in the moment,” Stella said, noting Norris has been more impacted than Piastri.

When questioned about Stella’s analysis, Norris quipped, “Andrea is always right. Even if he weren’t my boss, he’d still be right. He’s brilliant at breaking things down, and he’s always correct.”

Taking a more serious tone, Norris conceded the problem has made this season “trickier” than 2024. “Every driver has their own approach, but it’s my job to adapt to the car I’m given,” he told media.

“I’m not here for excuses, though there are reasons for my challenges. Some days I’ll shine, others I’ll struggle. No driver is ever content—we’re winning races, taking seconds, dominating at times, but we’re still hungry for more.”

Norris stressed the need for improvement from both himself and the team. “This issue is limiting my potential, but I also need to step up,” he said. With McLaren embroiled in a fierce intra-team championship fight, resolving these hurdles is critical.

The next test awaits at the Monaco Grand Prix, where teams will tackle the iconic 3.337-kilometer street circuit over 78 laps on May 25. Fans are eager to see if McLaren can dial in the MCL39 to master Monaco’s demanding streets.